The Weight of the Key

"No, of course not." Lily interrupted him quickly, smiling unnecessarily. Her eyebrows arched as she said softly, "I just couldn't sleep."

"Is that so?" Alex's eyes dimmed, following her distant line of sight. The sea stretched before them, the sun slowly rising and occupying half the sky, large and spectacular.

"The sunrise is out." Alex smiled warmly. After nine years, he finally watched the sunrise with Lily again. How long had it been since they last stood together, not yet grown, watching the sunrise from the balcony early in the morning?

Watching the sunrise at home and watching it from the beach were completely different experiences.

"Well, the sunrise is out," Lily answered faintly, looking at Alex's smiling and gentle face. "Alex, I should go."

I should go.